Rocca al Mare – Exciting animals and traditional country life

Sitting at the western edge of the city is the coastal Rocca al Mare district. The area's name, meaning 'Rock by the Sea' in Italian, comes from a summer manor established here in 1863 by local baron Arthur Girard de Soucanton.

That estate is now the site of the sprawling Estonian Open Air Museum, a forested park where traditional Estonian village life is recreated. The museum is home to 80 buildings from the past two centuries, including farms, mills, net sheds, a village school, a chapel, a fire house and more. Museum workers in period costume demonstrate the crafts of old and provide a glimpse into the lifestyles of bygone days. All the most important public holidays are celebrated in the Estonian Open Air Museum. For example, if you happen to be in Tallinn on Shrove Tuesday, Easter or Midsummer's Eve, be sure to visit the museum and celebrate the holidays with locals.

Another interesting attraction in the area is Tallinn Zoo with its Children’s Zoo and Adventure Park. In fact, Tallinn Zoo lays claim to having one of the best collections of mountain goats and sheep in the world. If you are looking for something more adventurous, then head over to the FK Centre. This is the place where adrenaline-seekers can try their hand at motorised karting and paintball. Rocca al Mare has also a popular shopping centre, located over the road from the Zoo. It’s a family friendly shopping centre, where besides the hundreds of top brand names, there are many restaurants and cafes, great shops for children's wear and toys, as well as a children's playground.

If you are planning to visit Tallinn for an international pop concert or Estonian handicraft fair, then those events usually happen at Saku Suurhall, which is also nearby. Ice hockey and skating fans should head over to Škoda Ice Arena. Both arenas are located close to each other in Rocca al Mare.